Dartmouth social science faculty present to Federal Reserve Chairs and discover new fossils of human ancestors. And undergraduates play a key role in the research. But research also plays a key role for undergraduates: whether you're using the MRI scanner dedicated to collaborative work between undergraduates and faculty or exploring economic transitions in Poland, close access to cutting edge research and innovative faculty defines Dartmouth's immersive, experiential approach to understanding and solving human challenges.
"I aim to make use of this appointment (the Stone Professorship) to help develop my recent work into a book that reconceives of philosophy along these lines: as a tool for evaluating and transforming how we think and speak about the world. This approach also works well in motivating students to care about their work in philosophy."
Learn more about Amie Thomasson, the Daniel P. Stone Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy
“As a researcher, I’ve devoted significant time to generating some of the ‘evidence’ behind evidenced-based policymaking on the care and education of young children. I’ve found it gratifying to see that evidence occasionally cited by policymakers. But it’s [another thing entirely] to have the opportunity to translate the evidence into a concrete policy proposal.”
Learn more about Elizabeth Cascio, Associate Professor of Economics
“The worlds of healing across cultures, the meanings people ascribe to illness, and the social lives of medicines fascinate me. I am also deeply curious about how communities navigate processes of migration and social change.”
Learn more about Sienna Craig, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages Program, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies ProgramDartmouth creates a rich academic culture imbued with critical thinking and creativity, one that promotes experimentation, reflection, learning, and leadership. But don't take our word for it. We asked our students to tell us about some of their social sciences courses.
Academics at DartmouthResearch at Dartmouth
A Department of Education Course
This class truly changed my life. I knew I was interested in education/policy before Dartmouth, but this opened my eyes to the complex world of American education. It was so dynamic, with fascinating, relevant readings and interesting lectures from Professor Wheelan (who is, to put it mildly, a ROCK STAR!). He had us write policy memos, he brought in guest speakers and had us to his house for dinner. I want to pursue a career in education because of this class and Professor Wheelan!
A department of geography course
This course, like many geography courses, is an interesting mix of economics, history, anthropology, and other social sciences. We learned about global food systems, food inequity, agriculture’s role in capitalism, and food justice movements. We did a group shopping project in which we had to shop for a family of four based on a budget including SNAP benefits. And at the end of the term, we got to visit a local community supported agriculture (CSA) farm!
A Department of History Course
This was an unbelievable academic experience of entirely student-led discussion. We looked at historiographical questions and debated, reading authors who used the same sources and argued different interpretations. What made it so rewarding was the intense engagement of and inspiration from the other students. It was amazing to engage with one topic independently for an entire term while still having the guidance of the class and Professor Miller. This class made me want to write a thesis.
A Department of Anthropology Course
I had never thought that there would be so much literature solely dedicated to why there is social hierarchy and inequality in our modern society. This sociopolitical phenomenon seemed natural to me, and it was really eye-opening to see all of the different theories for why much of the world no longer has an egalitarian social system. This class gave me a whole new perspective on modern life.
A Department of History Course
The best class I have taken at Dartmouth (so far!) is this one, taught by Professor Musselwhite. I learned about one of my favorite parts of history, the creation of our nation. I’m also pretty obsessed with George Washington, so I love that we dug into his history to learn more about who he was and why he was so important in the story of America.
Nobel laureates, government leaders, judges, scientists, writers, scholars, journalists, entertainers-Dartmouth alumni have distinguished themselves in all fields. Here are some notable alumni in the social sciences making a difference in the world.
Learn More About Our Alumni
Major: History
At Dartmouth, Eric Fanning was awarded Dartmouth’s Barrett Cup as “the senior man who shows the greatest promise of becoming a factor in the outside world.” That prediction proved prophetic, as Eric quickly rose through the ranks of the Department of Defense, where he held positions in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. In 2015, he was named the 22nd Secretary of the Army, and was the first openly gay person to hold that position.
Major: Psychology
The most decorated Ivy League athlete of all time in track and field and cross country running, Abbey D’Agostino won seven NCAA titles while studying psychology at Dartmouth. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, she stunned the world with a display of sportsmanship. When she and another runner both fell, they helped each other to their feet and finished the race together.
Major: History
For Clark Moore ’13, singing with the a capella group the Dartmouth Aires proved a launch pad to an entertainment career. When the Aires performed on NBC’s The Sing-Off, Clark’s vocal and acrobatics turned heads – including those of casting directors and agents. He’s since appeared on Glee, Turn, and Love, Simon. At Dartmouth, he majored in history while singing, acting, dancing, and writing for a number of student groups, and studied abroad in London.
Major: Government
In 2004, Michael Arad’s vision of the National September 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site, titled Reflecting Absence, was selected from 5,200 submissions, and the memorial was opened on September 11, 2011. A native of Israel, Michael studied government at Dartmouth before going on to architecture school.
Major: Government
After honing his reasoning skills as a government major at Dartmouth, Brian Kelly went on to become a renowned federal prosecutor, best known for his work sending notorious Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger to prison. He is now a partner and litigator at Boston law firm Nixon Peabody LLP.
Major: Economics
During his senior year of high school, the Los Angeles Angels offered Kyle Hendricks a spot in the organization. Instead, Kyle chose to go to Dartmouth, determined to get a top-tier education without sacrificing his Major League dreams. Kyle fulfilled both goals – he graduated with a major in economics and is now a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. In 2016, he helped to lead the team to its first World Series victory since 1945.
At Dartmouth, we have taken the traditional study abroad model, erased its boundaries, and expanded its parameters. Study abroad here is not an isolated semester in another country. Arranged through Dartmouth's Frank J. Guarini Institute for International Education, these powerful learning experiences are enhanced through faculty mentorship. The curriculum and structure of the school year allow students to follow their research around the world.
Dartmouth's Global Impact
This is my final term before senior year, which is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. One thing I am excited about is the classes I am taking this term, so let me tell you more!
Spring is a new start, and I'm trying to apply this mentality to the way I approach this upcoming term!
Read on to learn about the place of entrepreneurship in the liberal arts education and some other aspects of my first winter term at Dartmouth.
This term I have decided to declare a minor in global health, an area of study I had no intention of pursuing. Keep reading to find out why!
Rounding out my posts on my classes this term with LING 15/EDUC 15, an awesome class with Prof. Wray—come learn more about it!
I can't believe it's already week 8! With this term almost wrapping up, I wanted to share my favorite course this term, ANTH 76: Evolution of Upright Walking.
Dartmouth's supportive, mentorship-rich environment is designed to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and develop the next generation of leaders and innovators.
This winter, I thought it would be the perfect time to knock out my last core Economics class for the major, along with two fun Environmental Studies courses exploring Earth's cold regions and Indigenous Environmental Studies.
Today, I interviewed Gabe Gottesman. He is a '26 and an economics major who runs a podcast called "Big Green Economics," about the economics research professors and students are pursuing at Dartmouth.
What does it mean to be human? A multidimensional study of humankind integrating many perspectives on human diversity into a single discipline, anthropology examines this question in social scientific, biocultural, and humanistic terms. By studying how people adapt to environments, create complex cultural systems, and weather political-economic transitions in the past and present, we explore the human condition.
Dartmouth's Department of Anthropology offers a four-field program of study in archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology to contribute to a global picture of the human experience. Crossing boundaries that have separated the humanities and sciences, anthropology students at Dartmouth examine both the organic evolution of our biological family and the variety and unity of peoples, societies, and cultures worldwide and across millennia.
Economics studies how societies use scarce resources to produce valuable commodities for distribution among different people, how people use resources and respond to incentives, and how individuals and groups of people make decisions. Economics helps us understand historical trends, interpret contemporary issues, and make predictions about the future.
At Dartmouth, economics students take courses in finance, international economics, macroeconomics, competition and strategy, labor economics, development economics, and public economics. Faculty and students work together to use the tools and discipline of economics to understand pressing social issues. Students who take courses in Dartmouth's Economics Department are introduced to a unique way of asking questions and examining problems; thus, they develop their analytical thinking skills in the best tradition of the liberal arts.
The study of education explores the complex connections between human development, learning, and teaching. It impacts the lives of children and adults, as well as any professional or personal pursuit that involves learning and teaching.
One of the main goals of the Department of Education at Dartmouth is to begin bridging the gaps among developmental and educational research, practice, and policy. The six-course education minor is designed to help students build and use an integrated, multilevel understanding of learning and development based on critical analysis of theory, policy, and empirical data from education, neuroscience, and psychology. Students taking courses in education at Dartmouth explore how children grow, acquire language, think, reason, learn a variety of skills and knowledge, and how they conceptualize their social, emotional, and moral worlds.
Geographers study the material and symbolic transformation of the earth in relationship to both human and natural processes. In keeping with contemporary global shifts in culture, the environment, politics and economics, the boundaries of the geographic discipline are dynamic.
Dartmouth College houses the only Geography Department in the Ivy League, and students at Dartmouth study Geography as both a natural science and a social science. Human geography (a social science) is concerned especially with the political, economic, social, and cultural processes and resource practices that give definition to particular places and that are affected by them. Physical geography (a natural science) focuses on the earth systems that create the natural environment, such as weather, soils, biogeography, and earth sculpting processes. Geography courses at Dartmouth address a range of these key issues.
Aristotle described political science as the overarching science, arguing that it helps us understand who we are as human beings and how we can live happy and productive lives in communities.
Dartmouth's Department of Government maintains the ancient Greek fascination with the nature of governance at every level of social interaction. Courses in Government direct students' attention to communal failures and to the divisions, conflicts, and wars that result. Students and faculty explore these issues from diverse perspectives. They analyze texts, conduct surveys, experiments, interviews, and case studies, and collect and analyze quantitative data to understand the political world. The Department's commitment to the idea that outstanding scholarship and teaching are complementary and mutually reinforcing sees students learning from faculty who are prominent researchers in their field.
History helps students appreciate their place within the world, and teaches them about who they are and what makes them tick. Not surprisingly, History achieves special relevance during periods of global uncertainty, as young people grapple with the confusing and troubling events of the day.
History traditionally has stood at the heart of Dartmouth's emphasis on the liberal arts. The curriculum of the Dartmouth History Department—international in its reach and deep in its chronological perspective—prepares future citizens and leaders with a deep understanding of the world in which they live. Some history department alumni have pursued advanced degrees and taught at the world's most prestigious universities, but more pursue careers in other occupations. Wherever they end up, our graduates find value in what they learned here. We know this because they stay in touch and tell us so.
How does the brain give rise to the mind? How and where are memories stored? What is the biological basis of consciousness? What is the neural basis of decision making? How are mental illnesses related to changes in brain function? These are just a few of the intriguing and unresolved questions in the field of neuroscience. Neuroscience is a broad and interdisciplinary subject, drawing from psychology and biology, as well as computer science, chemistry, engineering, medicine, and other fields.
Thus, the neuroscience curriculum at Dartmouth provides breadth and depth in the core areas of neuroscience. Neuroscience is a rapidly changing field, and those changes are driven by intensive research. Dartmouth students in neuroscience gain experience in research methods through laboratory work and have the opportunity to engage in independent research in conjunction with a faculty mentor.
Psychological science is traditionally defined as the study of behavior, neuroscience as the study of the nervous system. Psychology studies observable behavior and develops models of underlying cognitive, affective, and physiological processes, while neuroscience examines questions on how the brain gives rise to the mind, how and where are memories stored, and other topics involving the brain and nervous system.
Dartmouth's Department of Psychological and Brain Science offers majors and minors in both psychology and neuroscience. Psychology coursework includes classes in social interaction, sensation and perception, the physiological basis of behavior, cognition, learning, and behavioral disorders. Students in Neuroscience gain experience with ever-changing neuroscience research methods through laboratory work, and they also have the opportunity to engage in independent research with faculty.
Dartmouth students who minor in public policy often describe it as the perfect way to better understand how policy affects all aspects of society—from urban development, international relations, and technological change to health care, education, and the law.
Intentionally flexible and broad in scope, the program draws faculty from across the social sciences and interdisciplinary programs. Prominent policymakers and scholars who visit the campus offer an even closer look at policy-making not only through lectures and seminars but also during informal dinner discussions with students that provide a chance to examine issues one-to-one.
The Public Policy Minor is open to Dartmouth undergraduates from all majors who seek a coherent program of study in the broadly defined field of public policy. This program prepares students for careers in a variety of policy-related fields, including jobs in policy analysis, research and not-for-profit organizations, and as consultants for business and government entities.
The world is constantly confronted with public policy issues that are essentially social in character. Sociological analyses provide a coherent yet diverse framework for examining these issues and for understanding the many perspectives involved in attempting to solve social problems.
Students who take courses in Dartmouth's Sociology Department are introduced to a unique way of asking questions, examining problems, and viewing the world. Sociological questions explore interpersonal interaction and conflict and study the behavior of groups, organizations, institutions, industries, social movements, and nation states. It is about learning analytical thinking in the best tradition of the liberal arts, providing Dartmouth students with a perspective that helps them better understand their day-to-day lives.
